By coincidence, Denis Masseglia and Giovanni Malagò, respectively presidents of the French and Italian NOCs, were re-elected on the same day for a new term at the head of their National Olympic Committee.

On Thursday 11, in Paris and in Rome, the General Assemblies of each National Olympic Committee confirmed by a large majority their highest sporting leader for a new mandate, thus recognizing the value of their presidencies.

At the French National Olympic and Sports Committee (CNOSF) Denis Masseglia, 69, president since 2009, was re-elected for a third four-year term.

Denis Masseglia was elected in the first round by 556 votes and 385 against, beating the president of the French fencing federation Isabelle Lamour and Judo Olympic medallist and former minister of sports David Douillet.

Masseglia will host the decisive visit of the IOC Evaluation Commission for the bid of Paris 2024, which starts on Sunday, after visiting the other candidate city, Los Angeles.

The General Assembly also elected the Board of Directors, which re-appointed General Secretary Jean-Michel Brun in his office.

At the Italian Olympic Committee, Giovanni Malagò, 58, who has been in charge since 2013, was confirmed for a second term with a very large majority, winning 67 votes out of 75, against his opponent Sergio Grifoni, former president of the Italian Federation of Orienteering, who only got two votes.

The assembly also elected the Executive Council, which now includes windsurfing champion Alessandra Sensisi, also a member of the EOC Athletes’ Commission, as vice-president of the Italian sports organization.

The CONI Executive Council subsequently confirmed Roberto Fabbricini as Secretary General.